Transluminal implant and methods and apparatus for loading, delivering, and deploying an implant

Abstract

A device for implantation in a body may include a body defining a lumen. The body may have a first end and a second end, and the lumen may define a central axis. The body may include a first flexible flange having a first base portion and a first angled portion. The first base portion may be about perpendicular to the central axis and extend radially away from the first end. The body may further include a second flexible flange having a second base portion and a second angled portion. The second base portion may be about perpendicular to the central axis and extend radially away from the second end. The first and second angle portions may be generally angled toward each other. A loading device may be configured to load the device into a delivery device. The delivery device may be configured to delivery and deploy the device.

1 . A device for implantation in a body, the device comprising:
 a body defining a lumen, the body having a first end and a second end, the lumen defining a central axis, the body comprising:   a first flexible flange comprising a first base portion and a first angled portion, the first base portion being substantially perpendicular to the central axis and extending radially away from the first end; and   a second flexible flange comprising a second base portion and a second angled portion, the second base portion being substantially perpendicular to the central axis and extending radially away from the second end,   wherein the first and second angle portions are substantially angled toward each other.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second angled portions have a narrower gap between them than the gap between the first and second base portions. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flanges are symmetrical mirror images of each other. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flanges are different shapes or sizes. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are configured to fit at least one tissue in a patient between the first flange and the second flange. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the lumen is configured to connect at least two cavities within the patient, wherein the first flange is positioned within a first cavity and the second flange is positioned within a second cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one tissue is held between the first and second flanges with a compressive force. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the compressive force is configured to cause the at least one tissue to undergo necrosis. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is dissolvable within a patient after a period of time. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are at least partially hollow. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first flange or the second flange has a textured portion that includes at least one of a groove, a bump, and/or a line perpendicular to the central axis. 
     
     
         17 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the textured portion is faced away from at least one of the first flange or the second flange. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the textured portion is faced toward at least one of the first flange or the second flange. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the body, first flange and second flange are elastically deformable. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are foldable away from each other and toward the central axis, producing a folded configuration. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the folded configuration is adapted for delivery in at least one of a catheter or an endoscope. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lumen includes at least one of a one-way valve, a pressure relief valve, and/or a plug, wherein the plug prevents material from moving through the lumen. 
     
     
         28 .- 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A medical apparatus for forming a shunt between two tissues, the apparatus comprising:
 a tube having a first end and a second end;   a first tissue engager having a first aperture, the first aperture fitted to the first end of the tube;   a second tissue engager having a second aperture, the second aperture fitted to the second end of the tube;   wherein the tube, first tissue engager and second tissue engager form an object capable of receiving tissue between the first and second tissue engagers.   
     
     
         37 . The medical apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the first or second tissue engager is a disk shaped object. 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . The medical apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the first tissue engager and the second tissue engager comprise first and second base portions, respectively, wherein the first and second base portions are substantially perpendicular to the tube, and wherein the first tissue engager and the second tissue engager comprise first and second angled portions, respectively, wherein the first and second angled portions are angled towards each other. 
     
     
         41 .- 178 . (canceled)